Feb 16, 2011

You don't think you like anchovies? Don't leave them out! They really give this simple dish a wonderful savoriness, not fishy at all. You'd be surprised how many of your favorite Italian dishes have anchovies in them.

This recipe was adapted from my Sicilian friend Julia, from Julia's Healthy Italian Cooking. She has a gift of whipping up delicious Italian meals in minutes!

Ah! I just saw this recipe in the latest Good Housekeeping and put it on our menu for this week! I'll have to see how the recipes compare. Cauliflower and anchovies are two things I normally don't like, but for some reason it all seems to be great in this dish! Can't wait to try it :)

We all loved it. My daughter fought us for the left overs. I like your idea to use whole wheat spaghetti. I will try it next.Cauliflower and anchovies are two things I normally don't like, but for some reason it all seems to be great in this dish

Gina...this is my first posting on your site...wanted to tell you how much I love it. I LOVE to cook and it's so cool that I can still cook delicious meals and lose weight. I have lost 40lbs on WW since October! Trying this recipe this weekend. (the baked potato soup was awesome!!)

I lived in Sicily for 3 years, and this is one of my favorite recipes that I learned while there. The anchovies truly make the dish! Sicilians use broccoli and cauliflower interchangeably, so cauliflower haters have another option. For more flavor, try adding some minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes. Also, make sure to use a high quality cheese. No powdered junk out of a can! I like to use a mix of Pecorino and Parmigiano cheeses.

I made this dish yesterday. I found it to be a bit bland. I used anchovy paste...maybe not enough. I will try it again using the amount you suggested (2-3inches) above. FYI, for those that are afraid of anchovies, I don't like them on their own either, but they definitely add much taste to recipes.

I made this yesterday and it has a really great taste to it!! sooooo good. I think next time I will be putting big chunks of garlic in it, I felt like that was the only thing really missing....but this is a goodie!!!

Made this for the first time last night. I added 3 cloves of chopped garlic and a good dose of red crushed pepper flakes at the same time I put the onions in (and skipped adding any salt and pepper at the end). SO good.

Oh wow, my Sicilian grandpa used to make a similar dish, just used broccoli instead of cauliflower, it's soooo yumm. I never thought that I would find a similar recipe on such a traditional (and rural) Sicilian dish.For those who don't like anchovies, you can use garlic instead. it gives the pasta a really nice flavour. When you toast the breadcrumbs in a skillet, add finely chopped garlic and mix well. continue as shown in recipe.

I made this tonight for my family. I was skeptical about the anchovies but it was delicious and my 10 month old gobbled it up! I found the anchovies did leave a little fishy taste but it wasn't strong. I love the idea of using garlic instead and maybe just a dash of anchovy paste! Thanks again Gina, you are helping me make a little foodie of my baby girl!

I just made that and it is sooo good !!!! I left the anchovies out because I just don't eat fish but it is still delicious !!! Thank You Gina I visit your site often and my friends and I are losing weight with your help =0)

Gina, couldn't wait for the reply so I made this dish last night..It was very delicious..wasn't fishy at all, you could barely feel the taste of the anchovies..Couldn't find the Pecorino Romano so used Parmesan cheese instead. I have also reduced the quantity of the pasta a bit. It was really great..Definitely a Keeper! This is officially my favorite healthy food blog..Keep up the great work..

Just made this and I think it was pretty good. I used roasted cauliflower instead of steaming it, and I thought the cauliflower was more flavorful this way. I felt the pasta was a little dry even after doubling the pasta water. I would definitely try this again with the suggestions of adding garlic and red pepper flakes.